Evidence of the NFL’s stranglehold on the news cycle: Even some of its most boring administrative deadlines manage to dominate the day. Case-in-point, 4 p.m. Tuesday was the last minute anyone could use the franchise tag on qualifying players under expiring contracts. And here we are.
Here are the answers to all your questions:
In total, six players were hit with the franchise tag. The transition tag, believed to be ammunition at the Steelers’ disposal to keep Le’Veon Bell was not used at all.
Here are the six players tagged:
• Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (second straight year)
• Texans linebacker Jadeveon Clowney
• Seahawks defensive end Frank Clark
• Chiefs linebacker Dee Ford
• 49ers kicker Robbie Gould
• Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett
The Giants opted not to use the franchise tag on safety Landon Collins, causing the requisite outrage from fans and reporters.